European Parliament takes a significant step to protect marine life from underwater noise

Earlier this month, the European Parliament voted to make oil and gas exploration utilizing underwater sonar subject to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), as a significant step to reduce marine noise pollution.

This is a significant step forward in the fight to limit ocean noise and its impact on cetaceans.

It is also a superb example of our desired precautionary approach in action; caring for individuals, the population and the habitat, combine together to make maximum impact for animals, in this case cetaceans.

What’s more, it is wonderful serendipity, with all efforts coming together at the right time to deliver the message to its greatest effect.

While securing EU Parliament support for Environmental Impact Assessments in the exploratory phase is a significant step, there is more work to be done. In Europe, IFAW will work hard to make sure that European member states agree with the changes proposed by the European parliament.

Furthermore, IFAW is working to ensure exploration activities in critical whale habitats around Australia, at Sakhalin Island, Russia, on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the U.S., in European waters and in the Middle East benefit from EIA results and that proper mitigation measures are critically evaluated and actually meaningful.

Thanks to all of you who support our quiet but important work on the ocean noise issue.